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OPA News Release: [10/19/2006]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x3984
Release Number: 06-1831-NAT

U.S. Secretary of Labor Announces $16.8 Million in Grants to 11 Organizations in 10 States for Advanced Manufacturing Job Training

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the awarding of $16.8 million in grants to 11 organizations in 10 states to prepare workers for careers in advanced manufacturing. The eleven organizations were selected from among 186 applicants competing under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative.

"These $16.8 million in grants made possible by the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, will prepare workers for rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing and help retain America's competitive edge in the worldwide economy," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the U.S. economy and is responsible for more innovation than any other sector. It continues to contribute significantly to economic growth and to American competitiveness in world markets. Jobs in manufacturing provide workers better wages and benefits than those in other fields. Manufacturers, nonetheless, report persistent challenges in filling high-quality jobs available today.

Over the past several years, the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has engaged manufacturers in forums and numerous projects carried out through the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative. The Department also has begun collaborating with public and private entities on science, technology, engineering and math issues, and convened leading industry organizations to develop a common, industry-based training framework to attract and train workers for careers across the manufacturing sector. A comprehensive competency model developed with input from the National Association of Manufacturers and others and designed to evolve with changing skills requirements, was published in late May.

"Manufacturers stand ready to hire, but they need workers equipped to advance America's competitive edge," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "The projects selected today offer tools for preparing workers in regions well beyond their home states."

The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative isa strategic effort to prepare workers to take advantage of new job opportunities in high growth sectors of the American economy. Through executive forums with leaders of expanding industries, critical workforce gaps and issues are identified. Regional solutions are chosen through competitions that involve area employers, educational institutions and the public workforce system. For more information, please visit www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/.

NOTE: A complete list of grantees is below.

President's High Growth Job Training Initiative
Advanced Manufacturing Competition Awardees